Ella Henderson has described Simon Cowell as being like a "cool uncle" to her.

The 'Ghost' singer, who appeared on The X Factor in 2012, told The Sunday Mirror that Cowell made her one of his top priorities after signing her to his Syco label.

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"I see Simon more than I see my parents," she said. "I think of him as my cool uncle. When I see him, he will always come and sit and have a chat. He is so normal, so down to earth. He will just sit there with a bottle of Becks in his hand.

"It's strange because he is the guy on the telly you're petrified of, but he is lovely. He has been so amazing and supportive through this process. He is just as excited as me about my album coming out and sharing it with the world."

Henderson added that Cowell gave her a lot of artistic control on her debut album Chapter One, which topped the UK chart when it was released last month.

"He cares," she said. "Simon always asks me if I'm happy - that's his first question. He asks if he can do anything, anything I need. I guess if he asked the wrong person, they could ask for everything but I'm so happy.

"It's nice to know he genuinely cares. He will only go forward with something if he believes in it."

Henderson also said that she does not see herself as a popstar and is not bothered by fame.

"I don't see myself as a popstar, just a singer," she said. "It doesn't matter how big or small a crowd is. I love singing and writing, and that's what I love doing. The whole fame thing isn't why I'm doing this.

"When I walk into a room, I want to be judged on my work, not what I look like. If I didn't look how I do and do what I do, I wouldn't be the package that I am. I'm not interested in that image."

She continued: "I love being on the stage. I love making people smile with my music - that's what it's all about for me. There is a pressure to be a role model.

"At my age, I am probably going to make a few mistakes but I don't feel any pressure to be something I'm not."

Henderson will release 'Yours' as the third single from her album on November 30. Listen to the singer perform the song below: